Young & Jackson Hotel
Editorial
**Y&J’s have just opened their spanking new Roof Top Cider Bar - just in time for some summer lovin’ and those summer nights!
The major icons of Australian culture sit at the four corners of the intersection of Swanston and Flinders Streets: firstly, there's religion in the form of the massive St Paul's Cathedral; then there's Flinders Street station, followed by the new Federation Square with its multicultural focus. And then there's Young and Jackson - Melbourne's favourite watering hole since 1861.
The icon has undergone various incarnations over the last 150 years or so, but its latest is probably its most stylish: the entire building has been restored to something probably better than her former self, with gleaming brass fittings, stained glass windows, warm wood panelling, and etched mirror work. There's even a Rooftop Beer Garden there, offering a BBQ, plasma screens and a quiet place for smokers to indulge in their favourite vice.
The Main Bar, with its sprawling length features a great selection of 18 seasonal beers, plus three ciders on tap, specialising in high-end, micro-brewed specialties like their own Y&J's Naked Ale - no doubt an homage to the gloriously nude Chloe upstairs. Don't know who Chloe is? She's only one of the most famous Australian artworks that caused a scandal back in 1883 when she was hung at the National Gallery of Victoria - full frontal nudity was still quite the scandal back then, so the painting was deemed more suitable for a pub environment. It really is a gorgeous painting, and you can admire her at length in Chloe's Bar while quaffing a nice local Pinot Noir and snacking upon a very Australian cheese platter with Maffra Chesire cheddar, Gorgonzola and Tarago triple cream. A nicely refined start to your Melbourne evening.
There's regular entertainment on weekends including live music, and Y&J gets quite involved with many of Melbourne's regular events, like the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, offering dinner and supper and show packages. So check the website for more details.
Meri Harli, March 2010
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